Method for improving turfgrass abiotic stress tolerance

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a method of controlling abiotic stress on turfgrass using an effective non-phytotoxic amount of acibenzolar-s-methyl.

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.15/680,443 filed Aug. 18, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,555,525, which is adivisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 13/861,948 filed Apr. 12, 2013,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,770,028, which claims benefit of provisional61/623,560 filed Apr. 13, 2012, the contents of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

The present invention relates to a method of improving the abioticstress tolerance of turfgrass. More specifically, the present inventionrelates to a method of improving the abiotic stress tolerance ofturfgrass with acibenzolar-s-methyl.

There are numerous problems that turfgrass managers face in maintainingturfgrass at a standard of quality expected by users. While the problemsare many, those relating to abiotic stress (including drought stress)are particularly challenging to manage and control. For example, abioticstress can affect turfgrass plants on golf courses causing a loss ofrevenue from reduced playability. One example of a common problem forgolf course managers is abiotic stress caused by drought or heat.

The compound acibenzolar-S-methyl (S-methylbenzo[1,2,3]thiadiazole-7-carbothioate) acts as a functional analogue ofthe natural signal molecule for systemic activated resistance (SAR),salicylic acid. It activates the host plant's natural defence mechanism.The structure of acibenzolar-S-methyl can be represented as follows:

Acibenzolar-S-methyl is commercially available under the trade nameActigard® (Syngenta Crop Protection, Inc.).

High quality, healthy turf is essential, for example, to the golfingindustry. Accordingly, there is a continued need for alternative methodsto control abiotic stress on turfgrass without undue phytotoxic effectsand with improved turf quality. It would be particularly useful if suchmethods and compositions utilized acibenzolar-S-methyl at reducedapplication rates.

In accordance with the present invention, it has now been discoveredthat the suppression or controlling of abiotic stress on turfgrass isaccomplished with a non-phytotoxic turf quality improving amountacibenzolar-S-methyl. The level of turfgrass quality also is greatlyenhanced by such application.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of suppressing orcontrolling abiotic stress on turfgrass which comprises applying to theturfgrass, the locus thereof or the seeds thereof, a turf qualityenhancing non-phytotoxic amount of acibenzolar-s-methyl (ASM) applied ata rate of from 4 to 20 g/ha.

In accordance with the present invention, the method can be practicedwith a single application that, optionally, is repeated in suitableintervals as necessary to suppress or control abiotic stress inturfgrass. Advantageously, in the practice of the method of theinvention, the re-treatments or re-applications of acibenzolar-S-methyl(ASM) allow individual applications at reduced rates of from 4 to 20g/ha per application, which enhances suppression or control abioticstress in turfgrass over the turf growing season.

In addition, the amount of acibenzolar-S-methyl suitable for suppressionor controlling abiotic stress not only is nonphytotoxic to theturfgrass, it also further improves the quality of the turfgrass towhich it is applied. Accordingly, the method of the invention is usefulboth to (1) manage abiotic stress by suppressing or controlling theabiotic stress and (2) enhance the quality of the turfgrass to which itis applied. The method of the invention enhances the ability ofend-users such as lawn care operators, golf course technicians and thelike to manage, suppress or control turfgrass abiotic stress issueswithout undue phytotoxicity.

The methods of the present invention are applicable to any type ofabiotic stress that turfgrass may experience during its growth. In aspecific embodiment, the methods of the present invention are applicablewhen the abiotic stress experienced by a plant during its growth isdrought, flood, excessive temperature, low temperature, frost, excesssunlight, insufficient sunlight, wind, inadequate soil nutrients,excessive soil salinity, air pollution, soil pollution or waterpollution, or any combination thereof. Most suitably, the stressexperienced is drought, excessive temperature or salinity, or anycombination thereof.

In another embodiment, the method of suppressing or controlling abioticstress, or the method to improve the quality of turfgrass comprises atreatment regime, where ASM is applied at at reduced rates of from 4 to20 g/ha and is re-applied to the turfgrass or to the locus thereof atintervals of from 5 to 25 days, up to the cumulative maximum labeledrate for ASM per turf growing season for the specific turfgrass locusbeing treated according to existing restrictions.

In a more specific embodiment, in the practice of the methods of theinvention, ASM is re-applied to the turfgrass or the locus thereof atintervals of from 7 to 21 days; more specifically, from 7 to 14 days, upto the cumulative maximum labeled rate for ASM for the turfgrass locusbeing treated.

Specific turfgrass loci suitable for the methods of the inventioninclude those listed on the current product label for Daconil Action™which is incorporated by reference herein. For example, suitableturfgrasses include sod farms; turf on golf courses such as roughs,fairways, tees and greens; professional and collegiate athletic fields;and lawns around commercial and industrial buildings.

In another aspect of the methods of the invention, ASM can be applied tothe turfgrass or the locus thereof using turfgrass seed as a carrier.

In a further aspect, the method of suppressing or controlling abioticstress comprises applying to the turfgrass, the locus thereof or seedsthereof a non-phytotoxic turf quality improving amount of a compositioncomprising acibenzolar-s-methyl.

In a further aspect, the method to improve the quality of turfgrass, orto suppress or control abiotic stress in turfgrass comprises applying tothe turfgrass, the locus thereof or seeds thereof a turf qualityenhancing non-phytotoxic amount of a composition comprising a mixture ofa fungicide such as chlorothalonil and acibenzolar-s-methyl.

In one embodiment, in the practice of the methods of the invention, in amixture of a fungicide such as chlorothalonil with acibenzolar-s-methyl,chlorothalonil is applied at a rate of from 2,000 to 10,000 g/ha andacibenzolar-S-methyl is applied at a rate of from 4 to 20 g/ha.

Compositions comprising ASM used in the methods of the present inventioncan be tank mixtures or premixes wherein the composition may furthercomprise adjuvants, solvents, carriers, surfactants or extenders.

A non-phytotoxic turf quality improving amount of ASM typically is arate of from 4 to 20 g/ha per application. Typically, the application ofASM according to the method of the present invention can occur onseveral occasions during the turfgrass growing period or season. Forexample, ASM may be applied once or on several occasions during theturfgrass growth period depending on the circumstances, for example, 1to 6 or 1 to 4 occasions, and the amounts indicated above for ASM areapplication rates for each application.

As used herein the phrase “quality” of turfgrass is meant to includevisual quality of turfgrass and functional quality of turfgrass.

“Visual quality” of turfgrass relates to the visual appearance, such asdensity (the number of aerial shoots per unit area), uniformity (forexample uniformity of texture, e.g. width of the leaf blades, which canbe fine-textured as for example in red fescue or coarse-textured as forexample in tall fescue), colour or smoothness (which affects for examplethe playability of a golf course).

“Functional quality” of turfgrass relates to, for example, rigidity(resistance of the turfgrass leaves to compression and is related to thewear resistance of a turf), elasticity (tendency of the turfgrass leavesto spring back once a compressing force is removed), resiliency(capacity of a turf to absorb a shock without altering its surfacecharacteristics), ball roll (average distance a ball travels upon beingreleased to a turf surface), yield (measure of clippings removed withmowing), verdure (measure of amount of aerial shoots remaining aftermowing), rooting (amount of root growth evident at any one time duringthe growing season) and recuperative capacity (capacity of turfgrassesto recover from damage caused by disease organism, insects, traffic andthe like).

An improvement in the quality of turfgrass can relate to one of thementioned visual or functional quality characteristics or to anycombination of these quality characteristics.

According to the present invention, an “improvement” is a measurable ornoticeable increase in a given turfgrass quality characteristic over thesame turfgrass quality characteristic produced under the sameconditions, but without the application of the subject method.

An improvement in the quality characteristics of turfgrass is, forexample, a greener or more pleasant, leaf colour of the turf.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method ofreducing damage to turfgrass caused by one or more abiotic stressfactors, comprising the application of a non-phytotoxic turf qualityimproving amount acibenzolar-S-methyl, wherein the stress experienced isdrought, excessive temperature (heat or cold) or salinity, or anycombination thereof. Most particularly, the stress experienced isdrought.

In a another embodiment, the present invention provides a method forimproving the quality of turfgrass comprising the application of anon-phytotoxic turf quality improving amount acibenzolar-S-methyl,wherein the abiotic stress experienced is drought, excessive temperature(heat or cold) or salinity, or any combination thereof. Morespecifically, the stress experienced is drought.

According to the invention, by “turfgrass” there is understood an annualor perennial Gramineae. Said gramineae preferably belongs to one or moreof the genera Agropyron, Agrostis, Axonopus, Bromus, Buchloë, Cynodon,Eremochloa, Festuca, Lolium, Paspulum, Pennisetum, Phleum, Poa,Stenotaphrum or Zoysia. More preferably, said gramineae belongs to oneor more of the genera Agrostis, Buchloë, Cynodon, Eremochloa, Festuca,Lolium, Paspulum, Pennisetum, Poa, Stenotaphrum or Zoysia.

According to the invention by “turf” is understood as a group ofturfgrass, which covers a surface area of ground and is subject toregular maintenance.

The present invention can be practiced with all turfgrasses, includingcool season turfgrass and warm season turfgrass.

Examples of cool season turfgrasses are: Bluegrasses (Poa L.), such asKentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), Rough Bluegrass (Poa trivialisL.), Canada Bluegrass (Poa compressa L.) and Annual Bluegrass (Poa annuaL.); Bentgrasses (Agrostis L.), such as Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostispalustris Huds.), Colonial Bentgrass (Agrostis tenius Sibth.), VelvetBentgrass (Agrostis canina L.) and Redtop (Agrostis alba L.); Fescues(Festuca L.), such as Creeping Red Fescue (Festuca rubra L.), ChewingsFescue (Festuca rubra var. commutata Gaud.), Sheep Fescue (Festuca ovinaL.), Hard Fescue (Festuca longifolia), Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinaceaSchreb.), Meadow Fescue (Festuca elatior L.); Ryegrasses (Lolium L.),such as Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), Annual (Italian)Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.); Wheatgrasses (Agropyron Gaertn.),such as Fairway Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.), WesternWheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.). Other cool season turfgrassesinclude Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and Timothy (Phleum L.).

Examples of warm season turfgrasses are Bermudagrasses (Cynodon L. C.Rich), Zoysiagrasses (Zoysia Willd.), St. Augustinegrass (Stenotaphrumsecundatum (Walt.) Kuntze), Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides(Munro.) Hack.), Carpetgrass (Axonopus Beauv.), Bahiagrass (Paspalumnotatum Flugge.), Kikuyugrass (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. exChiov.), Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.) and Seashorepaspalum (Paspalum vaginatum swartz).

The method according to the present invention is effective to suppressor control turfgrass against incidence of abiotic stress.

The term “locus” of turfgrass as used herein is intended to embrace theplace on which the turfgrass are growing, the place where the seeds ofthe turfgrass are sown or the place where the seeds of the turfgrasswill be placed for subsequent plant growth. According to the invention,the “locus” of a turf can relate to soil or to a substrate. An examplefor such a locus is a golf course, on which turfgrass is managed.

According to the invention the term “soil” means natural soil, which istypically present on a land area, such as soil being present on a golfcourse, or means soil, that has been modified, such as soil beinggranulated and/or treated with agrochemicals, such as for examplefertilizers. An example of granulated and/or treated soil is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,372.

According to the invention the term “substrate” means a medium for thegrowth of turfgrass and the like, suited for application to a variety ofexisting ground structures. Typically, such mediums are soil-freemixtures that include sufficient proportions of ingredients ofelastomeric granules, suitable binding emulsion, mineral aggregate,filler and controlled release plant nutrient particles, so that whenlaid and cured, said mixture produces a water permeable, resilentsubstrate having air pockets through which a root system of turfgrasscan penetrate. Turfgrass growing on said substrate can form a turf,which can be applied to non-porous surfaces, such as for example roofsof buildings, terraces and other hard surface areas, or to poroussurfaces, such as for example football fields or golf courses. Examplesof such substrates are described in WO 2005/002323. Elastomeric granulescan be, for example, granules of rubber, granules of recycled vehicletyre rubber or mixtures thereof.

According to the invention the term “applied” means eithersimultaneously or sequentially. More specifically, in the practice ofthe method, ASM may be applied either simultaneously or sequentiallywith other active compounds typically used in managing turfgrass. Ifadministered sequentially, the components may be administered in anyorder in a suitable timescale, for example, with no longer than 24 hoursbetween the time of administering the first component and the time ofadministering the last component. Suitably, all the components areadministered within a timescale of a few hours, such as one hour. If thecomponents are administered simultaneously, they may be administeredseparately or as a tank mix or as a pre-formulated mixture of all thecomponents or as a pre-formulated mixture of some of the components tankmixed with the remaining components.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, the ASM isapplied to the turfgrass by treating the turfgrass, the locus thereof orseeds thereof.

ASM containing compositions used in the method of the invention can beprepared on site by the end-user shortly before application to theturfgrass, the locus thereof or seeds thereof by mixing in aqueoussolution an ASM containing composition, an optional additional activeingredient containing composition and, optionally, a suitable surfactantor adjuvant. Such compositions are typically referred to as “tank-mix”compositions.

Alternatively, the compositions used in the method of the invention maybe provided to the end-user already formulated, either at the desireddilution for application (“ready to use” compositions) or requiringdilution, dispersion, or dissolution in water by the end-user(“concentrate” compositions). Such preformulated concentrates can beliquids or particulate solids. An example of a suitable preformulatedconcentrate is Daconil Action.

Water application volumes for applying ASM in accordance with the methodrange from 500 to 1000 liters per hectare.

The amount of ASM to be applied and the number of re-treatments in thepractice of a method according to the invention will depend on variousfactors, such as the subject of the treatment, such as, plants,turfgrass locus or seeds; the type of treatment, such as, for examplespraying, spreading or seed dressing; the purpose of the treatment, suchas, for example suppression or control abiotic stress; the type ofabiotic stress to be controlled; enhancing turf quality, the applicationtime; environmental conditions, the number of re-treatment intervalsdesired or the turfgrass species.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the methods according to theinvention are carried out by applying or treating the turfgrass, thelocus thereof or seeds thereof with a turf quality enhancingnon-phytotoxic amount of a composition comprising ASM, eitherpre-abiotic stress or under low to moderate abiotic stress conditions,where the acibenzolar-S-methyl is applied at a rate of from 4 to 20 g/haper application.

Application to Turfgrass:

The methods according to the invention can be practiced by treating theturfgrass with an effective amount of ASM according to the invention.Within said embodiment of the invention, the ASM is suitably applied tothe turfgrass by spraying or spreading. Treatment of turfgrass inaccordance with the methods of the invention may be performed by lawncare operators or golf course technicians using known techniques.

In one embodiment of the inventive methods, to maintain high quality,healthy turfgrass on the intended surface area of ground, such as forexample, a golf course, a sports field, a park area or a home lawn, andto protect said turfgrass against abiotic stress, ASM is applied to theturfgrass once or more than once during maintenance of the turfgrass.

Suitably, the methods of the invention are practiced by application ofASM once or more than once during a growing season of the turfgrass, inparticular, at intervals of from 5 to 21 days, more particularly, atintervals of from 7 to 14 days, either pre-abiotic stress or under lowto moderate abiotic stress conditions. In one embodiment, the methods ofthe invention comprise from 6 to 8 applications of ASM at intervals offrom 7 to 14 days.

When applied to the turfgrass for enhancing suppression or control ofabiotic stress, acibenzolar-S-methyl is typically applied at a rate offrom 4 to 20 g/ha, suitably from 5 to 16 g/ha (greens), also suitablyfrom 5 to 12 g/ha (fairways), more suitably from 7 to 10 g/ha(fairways).

In another aspect, suppression or control of abiotic stress is achievedby re-applying a turf quality enhancing non-phytotoxic amount of thecombination of (A):(B), suitably at the foregoing rates and weightratios, at intervals of from 5 to 21 days, suitably from 7 to 14 days,during the turf growing season.

In a particular embodiment, 6 to 8 applications of a combination (A)+(B)is applied at 14 day intervals, pre-disease or under low to moderatedisease pressure during the turf growing season.

Application to the Locus of the Turfgrass:

The compositions used in the method according to the invention can beapplied to the turfgrass by treating the locus of the turfgrass with acomposition comprising ASM according to the invention.

Application of ASM compositions used in the method of the invention to alocus covers liquid (sprayable) or granular (active ingredient (a.i.) oninert and a.i. on fertilizer) (spreadable) applications as well.

For example, in the practice of method of the invention compositionscomprising ASM can be applied to the soil before or after the seeds ofthe turfgrass are sown or placed into the soil; or such compositions areapplied according to the method of invention to a substrate for thegrowth of turfgrass before or after the seeds of the turfgrass areplaced into the substrate; or the compositions applied according to themethod of the invention can be applied to the soil before turfgrassgrown on a substrate are placed on top of the soil together with thesubstrate.

In one embodiment, according to the method of the invention compositionscomprising ASM are applied to the turfgrass as a sprayable liquidformulation. In another embodiment, such compositions are applied to theturfgrass as a granular formulation. Suitable granules include inert andfertilizer granules. The active ingredient may be dispersed throughout,impregnated into, or coated on the surface of the granules.

Application to the Seeds of the Turfgrass:

The method according to the invention also can be practiced by applyingthe compositions containing ASM to the seeds of the turfgrass bytreating the seeds with such a composition. When the method according tothe invention involves using ASM compositions for treating seed, ratesof 0.001 to 50 g of the compound mixture per kg of seed, suitably from0.01 to 10 g per kg of seed, are generally sufficient. In oneembodiment, an amount of seed used as a carrier for ASM can be appliedto the soil or substrate to deliver a suitable amount of the activeingredient.

The compositions used in the methods of the invention may be employed inany conventional form, for example in the form of a twin pack, a powderfor dry seed treatment (DS), an emulsion for seed treatment (ES), aflowable concentrate for seed treatment (FS), a solution for seedtreatment (LS), a water dispersible powder for seed treatment (WS), acapsule suspension for seed treatment (CF), a gel for seed treatment(GF), an emulsion concentrate (EC), a suspension concentrate (SC), asuspo-emulsion (SE), a capsule suspension (CS), a water dispersiblegranule (WG), an emulsifiable granule (EG), an emulsion, water in oil(EO), an emulsion, oil in water (EW), a micro-emulsion (ME), an oildispersion (OD), an oil miscible flowable (OF), an oil miscible liquid(OL), a soluble concentrate (SL), an ultra-low volume suspension (SU),an ultra-low volume liquid (UL), a technical concentrate (TK), adispersible concentrate (DC), a wettable powder (WP) or any technicallyfeasible formulation in combination with agriculturally acceptableadjuvants.

Said compositions used according to the methods of invention may beproduced in conventional manner, e.g. by mixing the ASM with at leastone appropriate formulation adjuvant.

The term “formulation adjuvant” according to the invention denotes anatural or synthetic, organic or inorganic material with which thecompound of formula I is combined in order to facilitate its applicationto turf. This adjuvant is hence generally inert, and it must beagriculturally acceptable, in particular to turf.

The formulation adjuvant can be a carrier or a surfactant. Incompositions according to the invention more than one adjuvant can bepresent, in such embodiments more than one carrier and/or more than onesurfactant can be present, a non-limiting example would be one carrierand two surfactants.

The “carrier” can be a liquid carrier (water, alcohols, ketones,petroleum fractions, aromatic or paraffinic hydrocarbons, chlorinatedhydrocarbons, liquefied gases, and the like) or a solid carrier.

Suitable liquid carriers are, but are not restricted to: aromatichydrocarbons, in particular the fractions C₈ to C₁₂, such as xylenemixtures or substituted naphthalenes, phthalic esters such as dibutyl ordioctyl phthalate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, aliphatic hydrocarbonssuch as cyclohexane or paraffins, alcohols and glycols as well as theirethers, esters and diesters, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether,ketones such as cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents such as, but notrestricted to, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, dimethyl sulfoxide ordimethylformamide, and, if appropriate, epoxidized vegetable oils orsoybean oil; or water.

Suitable solid carriers are, but are not restricted to: aluminiumsilicate, urea, sodium sulphate, talc, calcium sulphate or potassiumsulphate and seed.

According to the invention a single carrier or a mixture of two or morecarriers may be present in the composition(s) used in the methodsaccording to the invention.

“Surfactants” are non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric and/or anionicsurfactants having good emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties.According to the invention a single surfactant or a mixture of two ormore surfactants may be present. The surfactants customarily employed informulation technology are described, inter alia, in the followingpublications: “McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual”, MCPublishing Corp., Glen Rock, N.J., 1988 and M. and J. Ash, “Encyclopediaof Surfactants”, Vol. I-III, Chemical Publishing Co., New York,1980-1981.

Among the surfactants there may be mentioned, e.g., polyacrylic acidsalts, lignosulphonic acid salts, phenolsulphonic or (mono- ordi-alkyl)naphthalenesulphonic acid salts, laurylsulfate salts,polycondensates of ethylene oxide with lignosulphonic acid salts,polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or with fattyacids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols (in particularalkylphenols or arylphenols such as mono- and di-(polyoxyalkylenealkylphenol) phosphates, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenol carboxylates orpolyoxyalkylene alkylphenol sulfates), salts of sulphosuccinic acidesters, taurine derivatives (in particular alkyltaurides),polycondensates of ethylene oxide with phosphated tristyrylphenols andpolycondensates of ethylene oxide with phosphoric esters of alcohols orphenols.

A seed dressing formulation is applied in a manner known per se to theseeds employing the compositions according to the invention and adiluent in suitable seed dressing formulation form, e.g. as an aqueoussuspension or in a dry powder form having good adherence to the seeds.Such seed dressing formulations are known in the art. Seed dressingformulations may contain the active ingredients in encapsulated form,e.g. as controlled release capsules or microcapsules.

The compositions used in the methods according to the invention maycomprise one or more formulation additives, such as, but not limited to,biocides, anti-freeze, stickers, thickeners and compounds that provideadjuvancy effects including, for example, one or more phthalocyanines orcopper phthalocyanines including pigment green such as pigment green 7;phthalocyanine green g; or pigment green 42.

In general, when phthalocyanines or copper phthalocyanines are presentin compositions used in the methods according to the invention, the rateof application to the turfgrass or to the locus of the turfgrass is from0.001 to 10 kilograms of phthalocyanine per hectare (kg/ha), suitablyfrom about 0.01 to about 2 kg/ha, more suitably from about 0.1 to about1 kg/ha, most suitably from about 0.2 to about 0.8 kg/ha.

The compositions used in the methods according to the invention maycomprise one or more additional active ingredients, such as a fungicide,insecticide, herbicide or growth regulator. An example would be acomposition that comprises a fungicide. Any suitable fungicide orherbicide may be used in the composition, for example to provide controlof pests, to overcome problems and delay the onset of resistance, or toprovide improved efficacy though an additive or synergistic effect ofthe active ingredients. Turf wetting agents may also be used inconjunction with the method of the invention. Suitable examples includeRevolution® or Radiance® (Aquatrols); and Qualibra™ (Syngenta).

In one embodiment, the methods of the invention for suppressing orcontrolling abiotic stress on turfgrass with ASM at a rate of from 4 to20 g/ha contemplate one or more additional active ingredients beingapplied selected from the list comprising azoxystrobin;trinexapac-ethyl; paclobutrazole; neonicotinoids such as thiamethoxamand imidacloprid; bisamides such as cyantraniliprole andchlorantraniliprole; fluazinam; propiconazole, difenoconazole,cypraconazole; fludioxonil; mefenoxam; cyprodinil; thiophanate methyl;iprodione; triadimefon; propamocarb; fosetyl-al; flurprimidol;flutalonil; pyraclostrobin; boscalid; vinclozolin; trifloxystrobin;myclobutanil; fenarimol; succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI)fungicides such as isopyrazam and solatenol; fluoxastrobin; phophonicacid derivatives such as phosphonic acid, monopotassium salt; abamectin;cis-jasmone; abamectin iron chelate mixtures; and lambda cyhalothrin.

In another embodiment, the methods of the invention contemplate anabiotic stress reducing effective and non-phytotoxic amount of acomposition comprising a mixture of ASM as noted above with fungicideshaving protectant modes of fungicidal action being applied to theturfgrass or to the locus of the turfgrass. Suitable fungicides withprotectant modes of action include, for example, fluazinam and mancozeb.

The practice of the methods of the invention also contemplateapplication of an abiotic stress reducing effective and non-phytotoxicamount of a composition comprising a mixture of ASM with fungicideshaving post infection modes of fungicidal action to the turfgrass or tothe locus of the turfgrass. Suitable fungicides with post-infectionmodes of action include, for example:

-   -   Triazoles including propiconazole, difenoconazole,        cyproconazole, triticonazole, metconazole, triadimefon and        tebuconazole    -   Strobilurins including azoxystrobin trifloxystrobin,        fluoxastrobin and pyraclostrobin    -   Fludioxonil    -   Thiabendazole,    -   SDHIs including—boscalid, fluopyram, isopyrazam, penthiopyrad,        solatenol    -   Phenylamides including metalaxyl and mefonoxam.

The practice of the methods of the invention further contemplateapplication of an abiotic stress reducing effective and non-phytotoxicamount of a composition comprising a mixture of plant growth regulatorsand acibenzolar-S-methyl to the turfgrass or to the locus of theturfgrass. Suitable plant growth regulators for use in the inventivemethod include azole PGR Chemistry (such as uniconazole, andpaclobutrazol), cyclohexane carboxylates (such as trinexapac-ethyl, andprohexadione-calcium), pyrimidinyl carbinols (such as flurprimidol, andancymidol), quarternary ammoniums (such as chlormequat-chloride, andmepiquat-chloride), and sulphonyl-amino phenyl-acetamides (such asmefluidide). Plant growth regulators such as trinexapac-ethyl aresuitable for use with ASM in the practice of the method on turf toreduce abiotic stress while continuing to improve turf colour, quality,reduce clippings and improve rooting.

In general, the compositions according to the invention include from0.01 to 90% by weight of a compound of ASM, from 0 to 20% surfactant andfrom 10 to 99.99% carrier.

Concentrated forms of compositions used in the methods according to theinvention generally contain in between about 2 and 80%, preferablybetween about 5 and 70% by weight of ASM. Application forms offormulation may for example contain from 0.01 to 20% by weight,preferably from 0.01 to 5% by weight of ASM. Whereas commercial productswill preferably be formulated as concentrates, the end user willnormally employ diluted formulations.

The compound acibenzolar-s-methyl (ASM) is commercially available.

In a one embodiment of the present invention, compositions suitable foruse in the methods according to the invention comprise 53.94%chlorothalonil, 0.11% acibenzolar-S-methyl and 45.95% inert ingredients,such as a composition sold under the designation Daconil Action™(Syngenta)

The Examples which follow serve to illustrate the invention, “activeingredient” denoting a compound ASM.

FORMULATION EXAMPLE

Suspension concentrate Active ingredient 40% Propylene glycol 10%Nonylphenol polyethylene glycol  6% ether (15 mol of ethylene oxide)Sodium lignosulfonate 10% Carboxymethylcellulose  1% Silicone oil (inthe form of a  1% 75% emulsion in water) Water 32%

In preparing and SC, the finely ground active ingredients are mixed withthe adjuvants, giving a suspension concentrate from which suspensions ofany desired dilution can be obtained by dilution with water. Using suchdilutions, living plants as well as plant propagation material can betreated and protected against infestation by microorganisms, byspraying, pouring or immersion.

The following examples are for illustrative purposes only. The examplesare not intended as necessarily representative of the overall testingperformed and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES

Acibenzolar-S-methyl applied in combination with chlorothalonil hasprovided turfgrass drought tolerance compared to chlorothalonil appliedalone and an untreated check.

Example 1

Greenhouse grown creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) was treatedwith Daconil Action (a commercially available chlorothalonil-ASMformulation; Syngenta) and Daconil Weatherstik (a commercially availablechlorothalonil formulation; Syngenta) at 3.6 fluid ounces per 1000square feet of turf. Daconil Action contains 54% chlorothalonil and0.176% acibenzolar-S-methyl. Daconil Weatherstik contains 54%chlorothalonil. Rates are equivalent to the following:

Rate—fluid Chlorothalonil acibenzolar-S-methyl Treatment ounces/1000 sq.ft. g ai/ha g ai/ha Daconil 3.6 8250 16.5 Action Daconil 3.6 8250Weatherstik

Two applications were applied on a 7 day interval. Bentgrass plants weremaintained in the greenhouse. Watering was stopped and drought stressimposed in Daconil Action and Daconil Weatherstik treatments 3 daysafter the last application. The untreated check continued to be watered.Turf quality was rated on a 1-9 scale with 9 being equal to the wateredcheck, 6 being acceptable, and 1 being dead.

Quality ratings 13 days after drought stress was imposed are included inTable 1. Turfgrass treated with Daconil Action maintained an acceptablequality rating of 6.2. This was significantly (P=0.05) different fromtrufgrass treated with Daconil Weatherstik.

TABLE 1 Quality Rating from Turfgrass Treated with Daconil Action andDaconil Weatherstik 13 Days After Drought Stress Was Imposed in theGreenhouse. Treatment Rate oz/1000 sq. ft. turf Quality Rating* Check(watered) 9.0 a** Daconil Weatherstik 3.6 2.1 c Daconil Action 3.6 6.2 b*Rated on a 1-9 scale with 9 being equal to the watered check, 6 beingacceptable, and 1 being dead. **Means with same letter not different,LSD (P = 0.05)

These data support the claim of enhanced drought tolerance in turfgrasswhen acibenzolar-S-methyl is applied in combination with chlorothalonil.Daconil Action is a unique blend of a multiple-site contact fungicide(chlorothalonil) with acibenzolar-S-methyl a systemic compound used forcontrol of disease through induction of host plant resistance. The modeof action of acibenzolar-S-methyl mimics the natural systemic activatedresistance (SAR) response found in most plant species. This SAR responsedoes not involve direct activity against the target pathogens but relieson the plants natural defense mechanism. The SAR response activated byacibenzolar-S-methyl allows the plant to defend itself against abioticstresses such as drought, heat, cold and salinity.

Example 2

Greenhouse grown creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) was treatedwith Daconil Action and Daconil Weatherstik at 3.6 fluid ounces per 1000square feet of turf. Daconil Action contains 54% chlorothalonil and0.176% acibenzolar-S-methyl. Daconil Weatherstik contains 54%chlorothalonil. Rates are equivalent to the following:

Rate—fluid Chlorothalonil acibenzolar-S-methyl Treatment ounces/1000 sq.ft. g ai/ha g ai/ha Daconil 3.6 8250 16.5 Action Daconil 3.6 8250Weatherstik

Two applications were applied on a 7 day interval. Bentgrass plants weremaintained in the greenhouse. Watering was stopped and drought stressimposed on the check and plants treated with Daconil Action and DaconilWeatherstik 4 days after the last application. Turf quality was rated ona 1-9 scale with 9 being best, 6 being acceptable, and 1 being dead.

Quality rating taken 4-10 days after drought stress was imposed areincluded in Table 2. Turfgrass treated with Daconil Action maintained anacceptable quality rating for at least 2 days longer than turf treatedwith Daconil Weatherstik. This was significantly (P=0.05) from turfgrasstreated with Daconil Weatherstik.

TABLE 2 Quality Rating from Turfgrass Treated with Daconil Action andDaconil Weatherstik 4-10 Days Days After Drought Stress Was Imposed inthe Greenhouse. Rate oz/ Days After Drought Stress was Imposed 1000 sqft 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Check 8.75a 8.63a 6.13b 5ab   3.75b 3b   2.25b Daconil3.6 8.38a 8.25a 6.38b 5.38b 4b   3.5b   3.13ab Weatherstik Daconil 3.69a   9a   7.88a 7.25a 6.38a 5.75a 5.25a Action

These results support the claim of enhanced drought tolerance inturfgrass when acibenzolar-S-methyl is applied in combination withchlorothalonil.

Example 3

Greenhouse grown creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) was treatedwith Daconil Action and Daconil Weatherstik at 2 and 3.6 fluid ouncesper 1000 square feet of turf. Daconil Action contains 54% chlorothaloniland 0.176% acibenzolar-S-methyl. Daconil Weatherstik contains 54%chlorothalonil. Rates are equivalent to the following:

Rate—fluid Chlorothalonil acibenzolar-S-methyl Treatment ounces/1000 sq.ft. g ai/ha g ai/ha Daconil 2.0 4600 9.2 Action Daconil 3.6 8250 16.5Action Daconil 2.0 4600 Weatherstik Daconil 3.6 8250 Weatherstik

Three applications were applied on a 14 day interval. Bentgrass plantswere maintained in the greenhouse. Watering was stopped and droughtstress imposed on the check and plants treated with Daconil Action andDaconil Weatherstik immediately after the last application. Plants werere-watered 15 days after drought stress was imposed. Turf quality wasrated on a 1-9 scale with 9 being best, 6 being acceptable, and 1 beingdead.

Quality rating 12-15 days after watering was stopped are included inTable 3. Turfgrass treated with both rates of Daconil Action maintaineda improvement in turf quality over the untreated check and plantstreated with Daconil Weatherstik in ratings taken 15 days after droughtstress was imposed in the greenhouse. This significant (P=0.05)improvement continued to be evident after rewatering.

TABLE 3 Quality Rating from Turfgrass Treated with Daconil Action andDaconil Weatherstik After Drought Stress Was Imposed in the Greenhouse.Turf Quality (1-9 Scale)* Rate oz/ Days After Drought Stress Was ImposedTreatment 1000 sq. ft. 12 13 14 15 3 DARW*** Check  6.3 a** 2.8 bc  1.8bc 1.1c  1.2 c Daconil Action 3.6 7.4 a 6.7 a  5.6 a  5.7 a 6.2 aDaconil Action 2 7.7 a 6.8 a  5.6 a  5 ab  5.7 a Daconil Weather 3.6 6.7a 4.4 abc  3.3 abc 2 c   2.2 c Stik Daconil Weather 2 6.5 a 3.7 abc 2.1bc 2.1 c 2.3 c Stik *Rated on a 1-9 scale with 9 being equal to thewatered check, 6 being acceptable, and 1 being dead. **Means with sameletter not different, LSD (P = 0.05) ***DARW = Days after re-watering

These results support the claim of enhanced drought tolerance inturfgrass when acibenzolar-S-methyl is applied in combination withchlorothalonil.

Example 4

Greenhouse grown creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) was treatedwith Daconil Action at 3.5 fluid ounces per 1000 sq. ft. of turf.Daconil Action contains 54% chlorothalonil and 0.176%acibenzolar-S-methyl. Daconil Action was compared to Actigard 50WP whichcontains 50% acibenzolar-S-methyl. Rates are equivalent to thefollowing:

Chlorothalonil acibenzolar-S-methyl Treatment g ai/ha g ai/ha Daconil8250 16.5 Action Actigard 30 50WP

The purpose of the trial was to compare multiple applications of DaconilAction (16.5 g ai/ha of acibenzolar-S-methyl) with a single applicationof Actigard (30 g ai/ha acibenzolar-S-methyl). Two applications ofDaconil Action were applied on a 7 day interval prior to inducingdrought stress. A single application of Actigard was applied at the sametime as the second Daconil Action application. Bentgrass plants weremaintained in the greenhouse. Watering was stopped and drought stressimposed on the check and plants treated with Daconil Action and Actigardimmediately after the second application of Daconil Action and thesingle Actigard application. Turf quality was rated on a 1-9 scale with9 being best, 6 being acceptable, and 1 being dead.

Quality rating 11-13 days after watering was stopped are included inTable 4. Turfgrass treated with Daconil Action maintained a significant(P=0.10) improvement in turf quality over the untreated check and plantstreated with Actigard in ratings taken 11-13 days after drought stresswas imposed.

TABLE 4 Quality Rating from Turfgrass Treated with Daconil Action andActigard After Drought Stress Was Imposed in the Greenhouse. TurfQuality (0-9scale)* Days After Drought Stress was Imposed Rate g 11 11ai/ha Application Timing (8:00 AM) (4:30 PM) 12 13 Check  6.63a** 4.25b 3.62a 2.38ab Daconil 8200 2 applications, 7 7.25a 6.25a  5.75a 3.75a Action day interval Actigard 30 Single application 6.63a 4.75ab 3.18a2.00ab *Rated on a 1-9 scale with 9 being equal to the watered check, 6being acceptable, and 1 being dead. **Means with same letter notdifferent, LSD (P = 0.10)

These data support the claim that multiple applications of DaconilAction applying 16.5 g ai/ha of acibenzolar-S-methyl are more effectivethan a single application acibenzolar-S-methyl in reducing droughtstress symptoms. These applications are non-phytotoxic to turf.

Example 5

Greenhouse grown creeping Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) was treatedwith Daconil Action and Daconil Weatherstik at 2 and 3.5 fluid ouncesper 1000 square feet of turf. Daconil Action contains 54% chlorothaloniland 0.176% acibenzolar-S-methyl. Daconil Weatherstik contains 54%chlorothalonil. Rates are equivalent to the following:

Rate—fluid Chlorothalonil acibenzolar-S-methyl Treatment ounces/1000 sq.ft. g ai/ha g ai/ha Daconil 2.0 4600 9.2 Action Daconil 3.5 8250 16.5Action Daconil 2.0 4600 Weatherstik Daconil 3.5 8250 Weatherstik

The purpose of the trial was to compare multiple applications of DaconilAction (16.5 g ai/ha of acibenzolar-S-methyl) to Daconil Weatherstik forreduction in heat stress. Four applications of Daconil Action andDaconil Weatherstik were applied on a 7 day interval prior to inducingheat stress. Kentucky Bluegrass plants were maintained in an incubator.Heat stress imposed on the check and plants treated with Daconil Actionand Daconil Weatherstik immediately after the last application.Temperatures were maintained at 35 degrees C. during the day and 30degrees C. at night. Turf quality was rated on a 1-9 scale with 9 beingbest, 6 being acceptable, and 1 being dead.

Quality rating 11-13 days after watering was stopped are included inTable 5. Turfgrass treated with Daconil Action maintained a significant(P=0.10) improvement in turf quality over the untreated check and plantstreated with Actigard in ratings taken 11-13 days after drought stresswas imposed.

TABLE 5 Quality Rating from Turfgrass Treated with Daconil Action andDaconil Weatherstik After Drought Stress Was Imposed in an incubator.Turf Quality (0-9 scale)* Days After Heat Stress Application was ImposedTiming 7 12 Check 3.25a** 3.00abc Daconil 3.5 4 applications 3.81a3.75ab Action 7 day interval Daconil 2.0 4 applications 3.75a 3.5abAction 7 day interval Dacinil 3.5 4 applications 1.75b 2.06cdWeatherstik 7 day interval Daconil 2.0 4 applications 1.68b 1.93cdWeatherstik 7 day interval *Rated on a 1-9 scale with 9 being equal tothe watered check, 6 being acceptable, and 1 being dead. **Means withsame letter not different, LSD (P = 0.10)

These data support the claim that multiple applications of DaconilActionapplying 9.2 and 16.5 g ai/ha of acibenzolar-S-methyl are more effectivethan Daconil Weatherstik in reducing heat stress symptoms in turf. Theseapplications are non phytotoxic to turf.

Although the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments and examples thereof, the scope of the present invention isnot limited only to those described embodiments. As will be apparent topersons skilled in the art, modifications and adaptations to theabove-described invention can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention, which is defined and circumscribed by theappended claims. All publications cited herein are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as ifeach individual publication were specifically and individually indicatedto be so incorporated by reference.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling or suppressingabiotic stress in turfgrass, comprising applying to the turfgrass or tothe locus of the turfgrass, a composition comprisingacibenzolar-S-methyl and a fungicide, wherein the acibenzolar-S-methylis applied at a rate of from 4 to 20 g/ha wherein the presence of theacibenzolar-S-methyl in the composition improves the quality of theturfgrass.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the acibenzolar-S-methyl isapplied pre-abiotic stress or under low to moderate abiotic stressconditions.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition furthercomprises an adjuvant, solvent, carrier, surfactant or extender.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3, wherein the composition comprises from 0.01to 90% by weight of acibenzolar-S-methyl, from 10 to 99.99% of a carrierand from 0 to 20% of a surfactant.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereinacibenzolar-S-methyl is applied at the rate of from 5 to 16 g/ha.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein acibenzolar-S-methyl is applied at intervalsof from 5 to 21 days, either pre-abiotic stress or under low to moderateabiotic stress conditions, during the turf growing season.
 7. The methodof claim 6, wherein 6 to 8 applications of acibenzolar-S-methyl isapplied at intervals of from 7 to 14 days.
 8. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the turfgrass is an annual or perennial Gramineaebelonging to at least one of the genera Agropyron, Agrostis, Axonopus,Bromus, Buchloë, Cynodon, Eremochloa, Festuca, Lolium, Paspulum,Pennisetum, Phleum, Poa, Stenotaphrum or Zoysia.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the fungicide is a triazole.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the fungicide is selected from propiconazole, difenoconazole,cyproconazole, triticonazole, metconazole, triadimefon, or tebuconazole.11. The method of claim 1, wherein the fungicide is a strobilurin. 12.The method of claim 1, wherein the fungicide is selected fromazoxystrobin trifloxystrobin, fluoxastrobin or pyraclostrobin.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the fungicide is thiabendazole.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the fungicide is SDHIs.
 15. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the fungicide is selected from boscalid, isopyrazam,penthiopyrad, or solatenol.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein thefungicide is Phenylamides.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein thefungicide is selected from metalaxyl or mefonoxam.
 18. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the fungicide is fludioxonil.
 19. The method of claim1, wherein the fungicide is mancozeb.
 20. The method of claim 1, whereinthe fungicide is chlorothalonil.